Elementor #808
Itinerant surgical missions
in Togo & Benin
Context and description
Since 2014, United Surgeons for Children (“USFC”) has organized and financed itinerant surgical missions in Togo and Benin in partnership with local medical and surgical teams.
These missions, which are carried out in regional hospitals, allow to provide disadvantaged children with complete care, free
of charge. An average of 100 children are treated during each mission.
All field missions are accompanied by a volunteer anesthetist recruited by USFC. Surgical interventions mainly concern simple pathologies, although disabling, such as hernias, bone diseases,
cleft lips and palates.
These missions are also an opportunity for us to identify children
with more serious pathologies, which require further medical
examination and specific treatment. These children are usually
referred to national university hospitals.
100 to 150 children operated on per mission
120 children treated per mission
Main activities
• Identification of regional hospitals and need assessment with a view to hosting surgical missions;
• Radio announcements to inform patients ahead of missions;
• Consultations and surgical interventions during missions;
• Post-operative follow-up of patients.
Objectives
• Provide access to pediatric surgical care for families most in
need;
• Strengthen the skills of local medical and surgical teams.
Key figures
350 consultations carried out per mission
Since 2014, United Surgeons for Children (“USFC”) has organized and financed itinerant surgical missions in Togo and Benin in partnership with local medical and surgical teams.
These missions, which are carried out in regional hospitals, allow to provide disadvantaged children with complete care, free
of charge. An average of 100 children are treated during each mission.
All field missions are accompanied by a volunteer anesthetist recruited by USFC. Surgical interventions mainly concern simple pathologies, although disabling, such as hernias, bone diseases,
cleft lips and palates.
These missions are also an opportunity for us to identify children
with more serious pathologies, which require further medical
examination and specific treatment. These children are usually
referred to national university hospitals.
100 to 150 children operated on per mission
120 children treated per mission
Objectives
Provide access to pediatric surgical care for families most in need:
- Strengthen the skills of local medical and surgical teams
